2,927 comments:

Pull it back. It's U15 for goodness sake. Kids are still learning and some are new to ECNL world.

The maturation process is continuing both biologically and soccer iq. Let it play out. Having older children as well, I can tell you that kids that were lighting it up at U15 may not be as they get older (and kids get bigger, stronger, more confident and develop better soccer iq). It just happens. Enjoy your kids where ever they are on the scale.

anyone else hear the DA is getting major pushback about high school play? If they don't change their stance, next year will be a joke. No way they start with older teams, no one will go if they are already committed or close.

Thoughts on 8th graders verbally committing to college..... I see Rutgers has already two 8th graders committed. Granted both are PDA and both are very good. My thoughts are unless you without a doubt would die if you didn't attend that particular college it seams to me your limiting yourself. I understand one is a legacy and thats great. I have no problem with it. If you get the offer do you take it? I know their are rules on both sides and it is just verbal till you sign on the dotted line and put the ceremonial baseball cap on. Just looking for opinions.

The entire endeaveour is a farce, just look at FC Fury on LI. The club does not exist, except in PR mind, and that is exactly where it will stay. No-way does he field 3 GDA teams in the fall to compete with other big clubs, is all smoke and mirrors, and not even the good kind of smoke.

HaHa GDA will look like it's failing the first few years, will benefit the younger generation at U12 and below. Who knows the boys don't seem to successful yet 10 years in and they are on the verge of not qualifying for World Cup? USMT team advanced further in the World Cup play prior to DA. But who knows what is best for kids in this country if something changes every few years.

209 Seriously 8th Graders already. That is absolutely stupid what about grades, SAT/ACT scores let me guess they can all walk through the next 3 years of HS now without doing any work since they are committed. This is just a bad sign of what's ahead for soccer in U.S.

Full Ride if they are committing that early. It's been a known fact that girls are committing earlier and earlier. It's done in every other sport but not as visible. Either way if all power to those that can.

Whether US soccer allows HS play is really unimportant.Do you really want your daughter playing HS soccer everyday after school, sometimes Saturdays and then add 4 GDA trainings per week plus weekend games?Too much possibility of injury from overdoing itIf your daughter even considers HS soccer on par with GDA or struggles to choose between the 2, then she doesn't deserve to make GDA.Oh and btw, she actually needs to make the GDA team first....

Dude, all GDA is a club driven league run by the USSF. The USSF sets up the rules and scouts the games/events. The clubs fill their rosters with the players they think are GDA material, most of the same clubs/selectors that had ECNL teams and determined who was at an ECNL level will do the same thing with the GDA then we sprinkle in a few different clubs (new) that will do the same thing. So nothing changes my friend except for kids flipping teams.

I do agree with any player wanting to play HS over training for an opportunity to play for a NT team should avoid GDA. I would think working on their game every day learning from the best in theory and playing against like minded players is a lot better than playing HS regardless of the level of the team, my 2 cents.

It will all be driven by the coach/club it's like a job you don't want to take a 2 week vacation knowing someone else is capable of doing your job just as good or better. So if your daughter is selected for DA imagine putting her in that decision process to play HS or not.

Let's look at DA it this way since majority of 02's are Freshman players now. Assuming 1 out 10 players had a positive experience at HS this past fall. Majority of them did not either was kept off Varsity or played minimally at Varsity so what do you think 9 out of 10 players will choose if GDA is given to them knowing what they experience this past fall.

Plus I think on average 4-5 2002 players will only make GDA teams for the clubs in the area since many 2001's will tilt the team more the 1st year.

NTC this week shows what the GDA will look like. 25% of the girls shouldn't be there. My daughter has been going for years along with two of her team mates. All three will be playing high school next year too, no confidence in the first year of GDA, if at all. Enjoying the game, practice and then getting into a better school is realistic end the game. HS was a great experience And everyone of them started varsity and contributed well.

PDA does not have a DA, Sky Blue with PDA does. That is a subtle but Important difference. MFA made the right call and their teams have competed well in the ECNL. Definite top 3rd club. World Class on the other hand has struggled. They have however made some very strategic moves to expand their player pool and we'll see if that pays off over the next two years. What you don't want is all your teams being sub .500

Can someone please explain to me how the GDA is going to be National level league, when more the half the team will be missing in the fall, and the other half in the spring, depending on which part of the country you live in???

ID Camps and clinics. These do cost around $200 for one day, and much more for over nights. here is a great process, I did it, it works:

1- Decide on about 20 top schools your kid wants to go to2- go directly to their website, the college website, go into athletics and recruiting3- fill out the recruiting questionnaire, each college athletic site has one4- also email the coaches directly, all of them. very easy to find email address, just takes little time5- you will then get invited to those colleges id camps, every single one. it is a money maker remember.6- in the end choose the ones that are local, cheaper, and be sure they want to go to college at that school. strongly recommend going to outdoor one so they can see you play in real setting in scrimmages. indoors is much different. 7- for example my daughter just plays much, much better outdoors. for whatever reason

1:36 Or just play for a high level club like PDA and you get the same exposure without forking over $200-$400 in camps. Like you stated in #5 "it's a money maker". Also word of advice there are players that attend these camps for "free" based on school's coaching evaluation process because the player is already in there player pool to watch at and from showcases. My suggestion don't go unless the school's coaching staff and your club coach recommend you attending so you know they are actually looking at you not just paying a camp fee to support funding it.

4:03pm So let me guess you went to a ID camp and a batch of PDA players were there also, and in your mind your daughter performed just as well or better than those campers. Again thanks for donating into the camp pool, your generosity is much appreciative!

Did you look at the latest roster of that school you attended and see where all the latest recruits came from? Did your club coach receive feedback from the camp afterwards? It's a paid tryout and yes you can get on the radar but it's rarity unless the club coach and school have talked and recommended.

If D1 is the goal(at this age level), then ID camp is necessary and often a follow up to a showcase interest. Another person's experience....They get you on their turf where they can have more communication, per NCAA rules

7:49 totally agree ID Camp or any camp is primarily a follow up to showcase interest. As someone stated before there needs to be interest and you'll here from your club coach if there is any from a most recent showcase or game visit. If not it's just pay to play good experience for your daughter to see a college training or workout but how many are you as a parent willing to fork over knowing there is no incoming interest is what you have to ask yourself as a parent.

10:17 Well it seems your moving pretty quick already going to camps and looking at 1/3 of the schools. Again to each their own, but remember many parents aren't or not working as hard as you are and will get to the same ending.

All this on who comes out on top is irrelevant as there is no Trophy or Medal at the end of this tunnel and going forward at Showcase's. It's about a player putting out results so a school can recognize her, that's the most important thing here not on who comes out on top.

Based on my experience from my eldest daughter's older team this also seems the age period where parents from very strong youth teams tend to separate themselves. As feelings if a coach placing a player in a different position or play longer to showcase her for a school versus those parents that care about more about winning a game or complains about decrease playing time start as well.

Bottom line is GS is not useful for any team at U15 and above right now. To many teams just recently started fresh and rolled points over, it will take at least the end of spring to see true results on GS. Many are following YSR website right and so are many tournament directors to state a fact to help with playing history of only most recent 10 games played by each team. Sorry YSR trumps GS for now.

Not just for now - always did. That is the perfect tool for tournaments. GS dropped the ball. They rolled up every team the correct way and then let them change their age group and now you have what you have with GS - Garbage. They have game results but only their tournaments or what they put in manually.

YSR also has it's faults as it is a stand along system/person(s) adding the game results from different sources. some of those sources are still missed like the ECNL/NPL games recently played or the NL in NC. But yes I agree it's the a lot closer in accuracy than anything else.

Ten games is more then enough to gauge the strength of a team. YSR is the only rank to follow, even though they are not "global!!" Happy holidays everyone. If some of you are heading to Florida over the holiday good luck to the players and safe travels.

2:05 you are wrong ECNL League games, Showcase games (just look at the VA teams) are all included and so are NPL games. The ECNL and NorthEast NPL sites are not up to date so how do you expect YRS to include results not posted?

7:37 of course it's a small sample size - but it's the current team only.So basically if the BBA with their 38.42 plays North united with their 37.24, BBA is favorite by 1 goal, anything less than a goal victory and their score drops anything more and it goes up it will also be adjusted whenever North united plays more games - so the sample size means nothing it will adjust itself as time goes on and teams rack up the games played the score remains the same you are what you are. The perfect tool for tournaments correct approx 70% of the time, not bad.

9:23 yes and it'seven better - they include ECNL league games, and ECNL showcase games plus gotsoccer events and gotsoccer non events your one stop shop for results.

9:22 Why would you think anyone has an advantage? I would say their scores are a little more true than a team that just played 3 games which can have some swings with a big w or a big L.

Like in my example if BBA wins by 4 goals their score goes up and Northern United goes down, if they played a bunch of games it's a smaller increase or decrease compared to if they only played a few games that small sample size. But if Norther United goes on a huge winning streak and bumps up their score not only is their score going up but so is BBA. If they drop games and their score goes even lower then BBA score drops for beating them up.

The only thing that doesn't change is the actual score of the game - as the sample size corrects team scores all the teams they played also get adjusted. Gotsoccer doesn't do that and gone is the quantity vs quality argument. Some will try to put weight on games and say a state cup game is worth more than another game - but at then end of the day it's still team A playing team B.

This is the current 2002 (U15) Region 1 top 10 from YSR. The list posted above on 12/19 4:36pm includes unranked teams. Those teams have not played at least 10 games this year and YSR does not rank teams that have not played 10 games (you can search and find a "score" for unranked teams that have played at least one game but less than 10).

There has been a lot of movement since YSR resumed rankings, to be expected with a low number of games. Expect a lot more movement as currently unranked teams get to 10 games. As time passes the rankings will get more accurate although obviously nothing is perfect...

1045 A little bitter I see. What stinks is come spring they have 2 months of league games March & April then tryouts begin once again, and for those not pre-selected to DA teams they will be looking elsewhere once again.

Going back to YSR v GS! You know GS gives fluff now as CASL awarded 1st place points for 2 teams in each bracket. GPS-MA and NJ Rush Grey both receive 1st place where each field only had 3 teams to play. GPS-MA #2 in the country we all know in NY area there are better teams. Yeah GS is a joke.

I can see them being #2 in the nation. Looking at YSR they are a "pick-em" vs 4 of the 7 teams ranked ahead of them in the region. So if they play in enough tournaments that award GSP they will place and accumulate points. I think the #2 ranking lines up 11:17.

1:59 Don't forget GS is not a true ranking tool. They only rank teams that play in their events or in flights that they add manually. So with GSP being 1 of the top region 1 teams it is not a stretch to say that they place in most if not all those events that carry GS points. So yes they will be #2 in the nation. No one thinks that GS ranks the best teams by ability (you don't do you) - they are just very good teams that place and have accumulated some GS points more than every team but 1, that is no crime - it is impressive but that's all it is, I'm sure no one puts those rankings on their team web site that would be silly. But if they did it is an accomplishment and #2 in the nation sounds really nice doesn't it. PS.their YSR score is on par with those teams you mentioned.

OK listening to people talk about heading down Florida next week for Disney Showcase. Let me understand this it's a showcase where player(s) need to fully be focus and rested so schools can observe and evaluate. New Year's Eve I'm assuming many girls will stay up and enjoy the New Year celebrations so how is that impactful to the player the next day unless it's a late afternoon game. Sometimes I feel those FL showcase ECNL or Disney are a way to grab money and for scouts to enjoy a mini vacation. Merry Xmas!

I disagree - none of these kids will be drinking. At that age not an issue at all. The coaches can stay in Florida from Dec 28 - Jan 3 and cover ECNL and Disney. The only money grab looks like the NPL showcase as it's 0ver 2 and a half ours closer to 3 away from the ECNL event where it's only 30 minutes away from Orlando.

Regardless it's a vacation for all and the girls just need to focus on playing soccer and enjoying their mini-vacation. The only people putting pressure on them is us the parents by making comments like your post (no disrespect). They are young ladies and they don't need reminders they need to be able to enjoy their life and a mini vacation in Florida for New year's eve. YES I AM JEALOUS and a little disappointed as my kid will be home.

226 I disagree been down there before, girls are not usually focus New Year's day after staying up late New Year's Eve. So yes it's a mini-vacation but also about the pressure and mind set of showcasing talent. At this age you still wont see 30+ coaches on the sidelines like the older age groups do so enjoy the weather for those attending.

PDA host's it's own ECNL national showcase the same weekend PDA's regular showcase occurs late spring, so no need for them to go down at this age group just yet. There are older PDA ECNL teams down there becuase they ECNL teams are required to attend 3 national events at U16 and above. So no jealousy here.

clueless, No. My daughter plays on a team that beats ecnl teams, so clueless, or newbie, no. And correct, I do not see Storm at event, so again who is clueless?? And yes I am talking about Disney showcase girls U15. I am shocked their are not more NJ teams at this event. But same with CASL. Very few NJ teams at CASL as well. Teams seem to draw more local like EDP events at Dix, Tuckahoe and News as well. I gather the traveling is an issue and expensive. any other thoughts on why so few NJ teams? Signed: Newbie and Clueless.

Hey Clueless how can you say your daughter's team beat ECNL teams if they don't even play in the league and they only attend ECNL Events. PDA's teams just started and they haven't played outside the ECNL realm even CASL grouped together a ECNL bracket. So try again newbie as I'm sure your dd's team hasn't played any ECNL teams as they are just starting. I do agree many NJ teams tend to not attend long distance events.

You guys are dopes! PDA and Matchfit don't usually need to do all of these so called college ID tournaments! Why do you ask? Well because they are PDA and Matchfit. These clubs don't need to get their kids a lot of looks and tournaments where D2 and D3 coaches are at! These kids go to the college ID camps in the summers and their clubs contact the college coaches directly for the "LOOKS". You guys are ridiculous thinking clubs like the Cats or Copa are getting D1 commits! So go to every tournament you can drive or fly to pursuing that scholarship that the 100 or so kids on PDA and Matchfit will take from you. Keep chasing the dream, those two clubs kids will have first dibs on any of it, good luck with the scraps!

Thank you Chris Christie, perhaps after your term ends you can become the DOC of both clubs. Or, even better, you can convince the clubs to merge, now that would be pretty cool. Personally, I hate NJ parents, they are worse than PAE parents.

@5:37, we were at CASL. And beat ecnl teams at Bethesda, and many more in past. But I don't want arguments on New Years Eve holidays, but some comments are just rude. Tournaments is where we play ecnl teams for years, even Tuckahoe has had some ecnl teams we beat down couple years ago. @7:52, I actually agree with this a little. Cats and Copa of course have many DI commits, and wildcats with few teams ratio is very good on girls side. Copa has many DI commits yearly. But of course PDA and MF will draw the coaches, the looks and when email goes to coach saying, I play for PDA Storm and Rutgers Coach Mike, I do believe they will get responses. And why not go to ecnl events as a coach. Especially now broken up, like at casl. So no we did not play ecnl teams at casl, but very good teams.

Less than impressive showing for all Reg 1 teams(except NJ who were no -shows). Might have something to do with the fact that most if not all of Reg 1 plays school ball in the fall and the teams are just starting to play together while many of the teams they faced have been playing together all fall. Some of the Reg 3 teams for instance have played their full ecnl fall league schedule and done 1-2 tournaments as well.

Nothing will change. I think junior high recruiting is a joke and usually the psychol parent looking for bragging rights.Ivy schools are always the last to commit, they have too wait because of grades and test scores. They should have zero say anyway without offering scholarships.

Yup agree nothing will come out of the meeting, plus if a child is attending an IVY league school you know there soccer is most likely 2nd in that kids mind by Sr. year of HS.

Another thought is a bigger push to commit early will start occurring since many of the power schools will recruit from the Girls DA first and many schools will be hoping to scoop them forcing other schools to scoop up as well. If a girl is playing GDA why wouldn't see be able to play college and get recruited early.

10:34 - the GDA will make the recruiting easier, but that is not my understanding as to why it is being formed. GDA is to develop a higher lever player - more training and less games. It is for development; recruiting is only an added benefit. I doubt the new proposed recruiting rule won't stop schools from contacting club coaches to let someone know they have interest.

Btw - having older children, girls and boys that were collegiate scholar/athletes (DI) this is how it was only several years ago - no contact until Jr. yr. The early commit madness is recent. If you think soccer is bad, you should be involved in basketball and/or baseball where a very good athlete can go directly into the draft.

Ivy League got the ball rolling, 10:34. Other Leagues are jumping on board as well. As one of the other posters noted and I heard as well, many college coaches want this, too.

Think about it, they have to not only look at the new talent, but also check in on the talent they recruited to make sure they are still playing up to speed. These are verbals remember. Takes a lot of man power and funds.

12:54 it was always like this - you just never had so many outlets to report this kind of stuff before.

I think it's funny,they the college coaches are doing this -they should grow a sack and stand up for what is right regardless of what the NCAA does or doesn't do.

Middle School recruits -let the fools have them and the other schools should brand them as robbing the cradle teams and be done with them, it's all on them they know what they are doing and who cares if the Jones are doing it if it's wrong don't do it - it's that simple.

I believe the main rule is Signing Day. If you look at the NCAA rules it is somewhat open as to what constitutes contact and whats allowed beginning at Freshman year in High School. Players can attend ID camps beginning as young as 7/8 grade. Mostly framed as "Training" by the schools. There are also a good number of Assistant College coaches Coaching in the ECNL. My daughter attended a local University's camp at 14 and continued to get invites (now a Jr. We received emails from numerous "coaches" once she was in the system to attend their camps as well. After each camp/training she always sent a follow-up email and most often received a response similar to thanks for attending, you played well, please continue to attend. The trick to sifting through this was getting the off cycle emails that asked about what tournaments she would be playing in, usually from an assistant coach. At present she has 3 schools that the coaches have actually reached out to her either after the camp or via phone to talk with her, ask her what she thought of the school, how are her grades and what is she looking for regarding a major. She also has had contact due to her travel team coaches being assistants at local universities. Within the past 2 months the contact has amped up as the 2017's will begin signing February 2nd (I believe). Up until this point a player can decide to honor their verbal and sign or do what the high level Football recruits do and make a circus of NSD with multipe schools hats on a table and select one in front of the cameras. Not really practical at the girls soccer level however.

11:00 glad to hear your success but the hardest part is like you said she if you dd is interested in a school but knowing they already have underclassmen verbal's the heartbreak of trying to still get in wearing on a kid that has potential that blossom late.

11:10My daughter plays keeper. A very narrow road to college as Colleges start tracking early but make offers later. Unless your a national team pick or in the NT pool. The problem with early verbals is sometimes they are based on a stud at U15 who does not continue to mature or rests on their commitment. Also, a lot of work is needed to see what the team will need the year your daughter is being recruited. The things we took into consideration was #1 what were the best schools for my daughter's major, next what commitment was she willing to make to soccer in collge (after a few visits to D1 programs she decided that classes were more important then soccer) While we are still entertaining a few D1's she is more focused on D2/D3 and being able to play in her freshman year, as well as study and plan to graduate in 4 years. @15 there is plenty of time if your daughter is on an ECNL team, if she is at a lower level but the club has a good reputation (PA Classics for example) she will get to the right showcases. If the coach is chasing a lower league title (PAGS/JAGS/EDP/ICSL/NL) then she will need to do a lot for herself and possibly look at guesting for Jeff Cup and other Ranked tournaments. SHe should also start attending Camps offered by the schools she is interested in. Our experience was the tournaments lead to some invites, the camps lead to some interest and the next step was on my daughter to contact and talk to the coaches (following NCAA rules). We are still not set but I believe she has options that will allow her to pursure her goals for an education and to play soccer for 4 more years.

11:00 - that is what is going to be curbed with the new changes, including recruiting contact at ID camps at this age. Some are getting in front of this before it goes into effect in particular if they have already put in the evaluation time with some players. Most schools, in particular higher tier schools, don't just choose a child without a evaluation process taking place especially if they are offering 60% or more in funding.

11:22 - good for you and your daughter. She is making smart decisions it appears. I have an older daughter, too, that is a keeper and she verbally committed as a soph. And, agree with you , there are only 3 maybe 4 spots on a roster for gk's (college fresh to sr) where there are 20-30 spots (depending on how many the school carries) for field players (college fresh to sr). Most times they are only choosing 1 keeper per gradation year (some don't do that if they have only recruit keepers every other year).

And some programs are still of the old mindset and don't put a lot of value on that position. But we have found that most have come to the table in realizing that a good keeper will keep you in many games so while they aren't scoring the goals, directly, they are preventing goals, managing the game to allow their teammates/field players to possibly get one.

And, developing good soccer iq comes with experience and maturity in the position as well as respect and leadership. These are things that evolve for all of the positions as you play the game; as the game gets faster and stronger.

This is why it is hard to predict that a U14/U15 will be the same player (yet alone the same height and weight) at U17/U18. And, makes sense that there is discussion for the recruiting to hit pause.

12:32My daughter and I have partnered with me doing some research and her doing the planning and executing. It would have been an ego boost for me if she accepted an offer (verbal) as a sophomore but she was looking at the long term impact and how much a program can change between sophomore and Senior year. Coaches have left a few of the schools so the (verbal)commitment becomes void. She also, as you pointed out, wanted to know the coaches philosophy regarding the keeper position. She realizes the mental stamina needed for the role and wants to align with a coach/team that plays a certain style from the back. She is looking for someone to coach her, not second guess her. And with 2-3 other keepers on the team there is always competition for that starting role. She told me that she will most likely make a decision before the end of spring.

12:49 - good luck. Sounds likes she is doing all the right things. Congrats!

As far as my daughter accepting as a soph, I thought it was too early for the entire process. I played devil's advocate the entire time.

It's a very good school & program and most importantly, she really likes everything about it; the school, academic (had her field of study; and will allow her to pursue it which is key, too), program, coaches (head coach is a soccer guru and not going anywhere unless decides to retire), location and the girls she met. We did our homework too. I learned that when it fits and it's what they want it doesn't matter where they are in the graduation process.

But no need to rush which is what it appears she is doing. Some kids just commit to under the pressure to commit. Good for her to weigh all the options; very mature.

1:34It is hard to find a good Club Coach for a keeper. The key is to find a club that has Keeper trainers that support their keepers. It took us 2 tries but my daughter is at a club where the head coach played keeper up to the college level. He sees the game from a keeper perspective and coaches her well, he also has contacts with regional colleges which is key. The schools she is looking at also have assistants that were keepers at the college or pro level. I would also recommend TKI for training. My daughter attends sessions there and they have improved her tactical and technical skill immensely.

Hate the coaches that think they are better than they are and yell from the sidelines when they are not seeing the field in front of the player. Easy to say, go to your right or left when they are not seeing the opponent putting themselves in position to cherry pick.

Don't feel funny. That is part of what the club coaches do to support the kids. Most love to help. Find out if there is interest before heading to multiple camps. Travel, hotel, food, etc. - it's not cheap.

Saw this and thought I would share it http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ken-reed/club-sports-hurting-young_b_13896180.html?

802 doesn't matter anyway players are starting to look to play outside of the States anyway look at Alex Morgan and Dunn they are going to start trend of players moving overseas similar to boys and that will ruin the NWSL. The CBA for women's soccer better do something about pay scale or NWSL will go bye-bye.

Again it's about audience at games for NWSL if well known players leave people wont come watch. Go ahead and ask you daughter what foreign players they know and wanna go watch. I totally agree if this trend continues it's going to put a dent on Women's soccer.

Look how much $'s those NWSL teams that lost Morgan and Dunn will take a hit.

12:19,I agree about Colleges and Foreign players. I believe that NCAA should put a cap across the board on the #of international players that can be on scholarship across all schools/teams/sports. Make US Soccer Great (Again??)

Maybe with Klinsman out as Head USMNT coach we may see opportunities opening up for US players again.

Agreed. Maybe this is another recruiting change put forth at the upcoming NSCAA meeting and NCAA meeting. US wonders why other countries are catching up. Hmmmm...what can it be? How many international goalkeepers have played or are currently playing at US colleges? And, that is just one position.

Discusses her decision to play overseas and how the men's and women's Chelsea team work together. MLS are you watching?? Share the venues, share the benefits, share the advertisers, share....build the sport and attendance. It's a win/win.

1:03 What are you talking about? The USSF pays WNT players to play for the WNT and they also pay their NWSL salaries. Stop blaming the federation. The problem is nobody goes to watch! The sad thing is you are talking about players not teams. SKY Blue is a NJ team and NJ should support it but they don't it they have the lowest attendance in the league - I think my kid's HS team had more people watching now that is sad!

Colleges are taking more foreign players because they are better quality, just watch our YNT play it's pass the ball to the F and watch them try to dribble around 4 defenders, we all talk the game and then we shut up when our kid's team plays the same way. Robotic we are not developing world class players -we are developing college players.

3:21 THE ECNL complains about players going to NT camps instead of their events and you want them to support the game - they care about their brand and their $$$.

Totally agree 4:29, maybe that’s why the Feds decided that we needed a GDA, because college soccer obviously a glorified version of H.S., its quite sad, but this is the 98% of female players. We went to Disney, and I was hoping to see some good play, but the only team that tried to play like the boys was our team, and we were 0-1-2. Bigger, faster, and predictable, the holy grail of college soccer.

4:29 - 3:21 here. I support the players. The NWSL and W-League players are worth seeing. I don't go to watch just the NT players. Some become NT players through NWSL/W-League, etc. It is great to see a budding talent get better and better through their play on these teams.

And, my kids can name some of the international players that participate in NWSL. I was saddened to see the never give up talent of Kim Little leave Reign (saw her in play locally and in Seattle).

These girls (NWSL/W-League, etc.) play because they love the game and their effort certainly shows it. THAT is what I am supporting.

Oh and I agree with you, the kids should not have had to make a choice between NT and nationals in ECNL. That was the shot across the bow that their cushy relationship (USSF and ECNL) had come to an immediate end.

I was an original SOB (Sons Of Ben) and worked with the group that encouraged the MLS to add a team in Philly. When my daughter got involved in soccer and the original Philly Independence started up I asked the question why they were not somehow tied to the Philly Union. The response was that there is not enough interest in the Women's side and the men's side has such a small margin for profitability that aligning would jeoprodize the men's team. The women also wanted to stand on their own (I guess that may be why they chose the name they did ). I think the isuue is sustainable vs profitable. The MLS turns a profit, the WPSL is barely sustainable. The target depth for a female youth soccer player is college and possibly a shot at the national team but the economics of maybe 30 spots for 1M players??

8:20 what's up brother - we also loved the cheese-stakes and were sad when they folded. We were there for almost every home game at weidner, we did our part to support the game by buying jerseys - but when you have only a few doing this we have what we have. The W-League folded, the WPSL is joke, USWA is not at the same level. I'm reading at least half the MLS teams will have a NWSL team this will allow them to have an academy and be part of the cash cow of girls youth soccer,

6:11 I'm with you we support the players, we support MLS and NWSL (even though SKY Blue was the enemy). It's sad that they can't even draw 2k per game, all you read about on these boards is how strong NJ soccer is blah blah blah and yet SKY Blue struggles. I agree with 8:20 we look at the game differently. I see kids supporting barca, madrid and pick your EPL team but yet they don't support what is ours. I love the game and so does my kid and we support MLS and NWSL because this is ours.

10 Step plan for Soccer Success in SE PA1 – Be well off2- Attend private school or live in one of the following school districtsCONESTOGA PENNSBURY PENNRIDGE CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH QUAKERTOWN NESHAMINY STRATH HAVEN SPRING-FORD DOWNINGTOWN WEST WEST CHESTER HENDERSTON DOWNINGTOWN EAST3- Play for one of the following clubs Penn FusionPA Classics Continental YMS FC Bucks PDA4- Donate to the Club (time and Money)5- Have talent6-ODP by 12 (preferably on a team coached by one of your Club’s coaches)7- When offered a spot on a higher level team take it (need to be on ECNL/DA by u15)8- Get to a regional Camp9- Attend every extra training offered by your DOC10- Play a secondary sport

1. Start playing rec soccer.2. Enroll in footskills (extra training)3. Classic travel (local town teams)4. Tryout for ODP5. Premier club (regional/national travel)6. Make mini vacations out of every road game/tournament7. Play High School soccer8. Attend some school clinics (on her list)9. High School Graduation10. Attend as many college games as I can

12:41 - are you attending the games to watch your child or just attending? Also, why isn't having talent a step in your process, too? And, don't they all start out on rec leagues? And, are you implying that kids on some of the Club teams you noted from SE PA are paying more than the club fees for their spots?

8:20 - MLS is looking at the same; profitability vs. sustainability. That is business. Some MLS markets are bigger and better supported than others, too.

Soccer in the US is still growing as far as professional sports. Isn't it now the #1 sport in the world? There are more boys that play than professional or NT spots, too (internationally and domestically). That is the sport for both genders.

Do you think the numbers turned out to the Linc over the summer to see just the US MNT or Messi and crew as well?

I am optimistic that the numbers in MLS, USMNT, NASL/USL & USWNT, NWSL and WPSL all improve in the upcoming years. Go US Soccer!

1:43Yes I am aware. Just like the other ECNL teams (FC Bucks, PF, and CFC) all have college coaches as assistants or head coaches of the girls u15 and up. The one factor I have seen as an ECNL parent is that the good players with no additional contacts and average income get weeded out a bit. As CFC is nearer to the city there are some really good players that stay on regardless of their socio-economic status. Youth soccer to college player is a marathon and not for the weak hearted or small pockets.

1:09 - to watch of course and answer questions or provide feedback if she has any. My kid played rec ball U6-U9, she asked to play travel - so we moved her up one level (this was after training on the side). It didn't matter that she stood out because of the extra training -she had to ask to move up - her game her life pal. I didn't mention any teams. Soccer envy? Think what you want.

1;15 Sounds easy enough- PDA has what 4 teams? So that's 80 kids in each age group. That explains the low turn out for SKy Blue games.

1:40 MLS is expanding to 30 teams and they could do even more if they were smart and created an MLS2 with pro/rel almost every club is in the green now and the franchise fee is well over 100 million. I'm with you 100% GO US SOCCER. PS. NASL is in trouble, MLS should take it over and rebrand to MLS2. Go to 30 teams - two 15 team conferences - 28 conference games. Take the top 8 teams from each conference to play some type of a post season single elimination or world cup format and relegated the bottom 3 teams in each conference every year. Also forceeach team to have a NWSL first team to share stadiums.

1:58 I agree - big part of the problem and because there is SO MUCH $$$$ in it nothing will ever change.